Author's Note: Forward on!

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Scene 21

The Message

The show was over. The beasts had all but annihilated the village. Among the destroyed building, bodies of exhausted and/or defeated beats lied motionless. Fully contented by the demonstrations, the pirates began to walk back inside the island ship. As ordered by their leader, Shiki. Having shown them enough, the demonstration of the beasts destructive capabilities had been a rousing success. It was now time for the ship to return back to the palace. To begin the ceremony that would unite these pirates together into a fearsome force. One that would shake the World Government with fear. Shiki couldn't help but be excited about the prospect.

The Island Ship rose into the night and left the ruined village. Moments later, the roar of an engine could be heard echoing throughout. Just outside of the village, there came three people riding on a grasshopper-turned-motorcycle.

System reboot. STRONG Dex online…

STRONG Dex: "Identification: Batta GT-7000. Once an ordinary yet big grasshopper, it was modified by 'Cyborg' Franky. It's leg power now converted to horsepower, this bug can roll at high-speeds to avoid any predator."

Thanks to the planned destruction of the Daft Green, the large bug had no issue crossing through the area by command of its driver, Franky. As all three pirates - the others being Robin and Brook - rode the bug in, they were shocked to see the destruction in person now. Before reaching the village, Franky stopped the bug from going in. Once stopped, he lifted up his sunglasses to see everything more clearly.

"Damn," Franky said frustratedly. "We're too late."

"What an awful thing to do," Brook said pityingly.

As she looked around, Robin suddenly saw a familiar sight. "It looks just that picture in the newspaper," she commented soundly.

The two men, as they also recalled the newspaper pictures, agreed silently with the woman. To think that these beasts could so much destruction to this village was fearful. The fact that they also took out each other during so was just horrendous. Regardless, they were on a mission. Franky thus immediately willed the living motorcycle forward into town. Hopefully, they weren't too late.

"Oi! Straw Hat!" Franky called out loudly.

"Hello?! Anyone!" Brook too called out in search of their friends.

Robin also looked for their crewmates. She let her more boisterous crewmates call out for them; meanwhile, she kept her keen eyes out for anything that could her crewmates. Especially for the kids, should they be here.

Franky shouts out again, "Is anyone out there?!"

Finally, there came a response. "Guys!" Immediately, Franky stopped the grasshopper-cycle, and they all looked around. All of them recognize that the voice belonged to Nami. They all looked around the area together to find the woman; but instead, she found them. She ran right into their view - her clothing ripped and dirtied - as she came right to them.

"Nami!" Brook called joyously.

Once she saw the group, Nami gasped with joy herself. "Franky, Robin, Brook," she said relievedly. Her expression then became serious. She hurriedly spoke to the group, "You guys need to get other here and quick!"

Without hesitation, the group followed after Nami. Their crewmate led them to where the large rock was that was keeping all their crewmates trapped. They all dismounted and released the bug-machine hybrid, and immediately they looked over the area. There also was Akio, who greeted them in a sullen way while looking at Nami. He was attending to a fairly large bird, who looked exhausted. Regardless, Nami had then explained to them that Luffy, Ace, and the rest of their crewmates were trapped underneath the rock. All of them holding it up so it would not crush them. The Elder Trio was both impressed and shocked by the sight.

"Wow!" announced Franky astoundedly. "Those guys are impressive."

Nami nodded. "Yeah," she agreed solemnly. She then stated, "But they can't keep this up for much longer."

Being observant, Robin noticed that everywhere around this rock and the rock itself looked unscratched. And that Nami looked both exhausted and scuffed up. "Did you defend them from the attack?" she asked.

"Not just on my own," Nami stated. She then looked over to the side, leading her crewmates in the same direction as well. There to the side was Akio helping an exhausted Biri off his back.

Quickly, Nami got back to her point. "Nevermind that though, we need to help the guys out now!" she said urgently.

"You got it, Girly," Franky said readily, smirking confidently.

Brook spoke up politely, "Any suggestions on how we do that without bringing harm to our friends?"

"Yes," Robin said confidently. She then crossed her arms and looked out into the space between the rock and the ground. "Dos Manos!" she commanded out.

From underneath the rock, Robin's hands and arms began to form on opposite sides of the group of men. More and more began to grow and soon two large hands began lifting the rock. At first, slowly; it had been the first time that Robin had lifted something this large. She could feel the weight, but she kept up her ability. For soon, as more arms grew into them, the two giant hands began to raise the rock slowly. Higher and higher it rose, and soon the group could see their crewmates fully.

Except, they all looked frozen in the same position; like they were still lifting the rock. Only when Robin's hands tilted the rock and it crashed into the ground, the ground began to quake and it shook the men into moving. Falling, actually. They all simply fell to the ground, beyond exhausted. Not a single one spoke but all let out a silent relief and gratitude.

"Guys!" Nami shouted joyfully. She then ran out into the area.

Nami looked at each of the guys as she moved in between them. Each one was believing out heavily but still conscious. None of them had a moment to speak to her, only a few could even acknowledge her presence, but she didn't mind. She then ended her check over right at the two brothers. After checking Ace, she went immediately to Luffy. She knelt down next to the man and lifted his head up. As he looked unconscious, Nami was worried that her husband and love may not wake up. Thankfully, the man was able to open his eyes slightly.

Smiling weakly, Luffy muttered out softly, "Nami…" He sounded happy as he continued on to say, "You're here…"

"Yeah," Nami said happily, tearing up a little. "I am."

"Great…" Luffy said joyously though winded.

Ace then spoke up between breaths, "How…? Why did…he..."

"Because she gave up Mika to Shiki!"

Akio's loud shout echoed throughout the area. Immediately, Nami looked over at the boy surprised. With Robin, Franky, and Brook also looking at the boy startled, Akio was glaring straight at Nami expressing both anger, pain, and frustration. Seeing how serious the boy was behaving, the three adults looked at Nami confused and concerned. Likewise, the Straw Hats on the ground looked at Nami with the same confusion.

"Nami?" Luffy asked confusedly and weak.

Suddenly, Nami lowered her head. She looked slightly dejected; yet, she lowered her head all the way to Luffy's forehead. A surprisingly tender action despite the serious assertion. She had her eyes closed for a moment but opened her brown eyes to stare right into Luffy's eyes, who was staring blankly at her. Waiting for her to talk.

"Luffy…" Nami finally spoke, softly but firmly.

Meanwhile, back on Shiki's base-of-operations, Monkey D. Namika was waking up.

The first thing Mika had noticed was that she was in a bed. A pretty comfortable bed too. Much like what her mother and father slept in, knowing so from sneaking in many times. Thus, her first thought was that she was back on the Sunny in her parents' bed, being treated and spoiled for fainting. Recalling that she had done so, she wondered for a moment why she had fainted. The last thing she recalled was that mean "Shiki guy" was about to crush her father and family, and that she wanted it to stop. After that, nothing. All she could remember was feeling really tired.

Now, she felt rested.

Slowly, Mika began to wake. She opened her eyes to find a bright light already shining down on her. It made her shut her eyes just for a bit but eventually opened them fully. Instantly, she noticed an unfamiliar ceiling over her head. She quickly sat up and soon noticed too that she was in an unfamiliar room; definitely not a room in the Sunny. With no idea of where she was, she began to look around the room for an answer. It was then that she noticed two women in her room just off to the side. She felt instantly familiar with them as they looked like the villagers she met; having wings on their arms and the same kind of clothes. More so, she looked at one of the women more familiar. She looked similar to Xiao.

"You're awake," spoke Ever politely. "Did you sleep well, young Miss."

"Where am I?" Mika asked immediately.

Both women looked surprised by the question. Ever replied regardless, "You're in Shiki's palace."

Mika's eyes widened in shock. "What?!" she shouted. The young girl quickly got out from under the covers and stood up on the bed. She looked absolutely flabbergasted.

"Where's my mama and daddy?" Mika asked frantically.

Ever frowned. "I do not know," she replied solemnly.

Before Mika could ask her next question, they all heard the door open. Everyone went silent, not knowing who it was coming in. It was Shiki, grinning jovially and excitedly.

Instantly, Mika glared venomously at the man. "You," she said angrily.

"Ah," Shiki said casually, completely undeterred by the girl's attitude. He then stated contentedly, "I see my new crewmate is awake."

Immediately becoming complacent, the two women bowed to Shiki. "Yes, Lord Shiki," they said together. They then stepped to the side as Shiki approached the bed.

Shiki asked out in a jovial manner, "Did you sleep well, Baby Doll?"

Mika hurriedly backed away, remaining on the bed though. "Go away!" she shouted curtly.

The Flying Pirate chuckled at the girl's attitude. "Now don't be like that," he said airily. He then took a seat on the bed, attempting to seem friendly and approachable to the girl. As he looked at the girl, he stated to her, "Is that anyway for a young, apprentice pirate to treat her teacher?"

"You're dumb!" Mika stated brazenly.

The insult had barely phased Shiki; he was after all an adult. He had expected resistance which is why he tried appealing to the girl's clear goal of being a pirate. Since that failed to put them on talking terms, he had decided to simply be honest with her. "Hey now, that's not a nice thing to say to the man who took you in."

Still defiant, Mika only continued resisting. She shouted out, "You're also a big-"

Shiki cut the girl off. "Especially since your own mother abandoned you," he told her unrepentantly.

Mika went immediately silent. She stared at the man confused and suspicious. "Like I was about to say," Mika started up again prudently. She then shouted, "You're also a big meanie, liar, stupid face!"

"Denial is to be expected," Shiki commented, shaking his head pityingly. He then dug into his cloak. From it, he pulled out the tone dial and held it out for the girl to see.

Shiki spoke slyly, "Then perhaps this isn't the woman you call 'Mama'." He then pressed his thumb down on the apex of the conch shell.

Instantly, Nami's voice began to speak. "Namika…"

Just as quickly, Mika calmed down. "Mama?" she questioned.

"I'm sorry," Nami continued speaking, sounding sad. " But you-"

Suddenly, the tone dial was snatched up by Mika. "Gimme!" she told the man selfishly, despite it being after the fact. Doing so, she had accidentally hit the button and shut off the recording. Regardless, she took the shell and rushed off the bed to the other side of the room. She continued to glare at Shiki intensely while held the conch shell protectively.

Witnessing this, Shiki only laughed. "Ji-hahaha!" He then commented out, "Greedy little thing, aren't ya? A true pirate spirit! I like that."

Frowning towards Shiki now, Mika also stuck out her tongue at him defiantly. She then returned her attention to the shell. It was such an odd thing that had somehow capture her mother's voice, but it became immediately important to her. Of course, if there was a message in it she definitely wanted to hear it. So, she pushed the button and her mother's voice again spoke the same message.

"Namika… I'm sorry."

Mika looked confused at the shell. "Sorry?" she repeated. "For what?"

"Just keep listening," Shiki advised with slight annoyance.

Obeying, albeit reluctantly, Mika listened on further. "But you have to stay with Shiki for a while."

"What?!" gasped Mika shocked.

"Your father and your uncles weren't prepared enough to defeat him. We'll end up losing everything if we defy him now."

Mika shouted at the shell intransigently, "Daddy can beat anyone!" As if it could reply back or change what was to come.

Shiki couldn't help but grin derisively. He would have a few things to say about that but he withheld for the sake of the message. It would be more than enough than any comment he couldn't prove forthwith.

"He made a modest offer though...if I let you go with him, he would spare us."

Immediately, Mika dropped the shell. She kept staring, though, at the shell, now completely unnerved. "Wh-What?" she said flabbergasted.

"Sometimes in life, you have to make some hard choices. Especially as an adult, and I've had to make so many…"

"Mama…" Mika said disheartened, beginning to tear up.

"I'm sorry you had to be one of them."

Now, Mika began shedding her tears. Heartbroken and completely devastated. She couldn't believe what she was hearing, it was so unfair and awful. She began to cover her ears trying to block out the words as well as reality. She just couldn't believe it.

As Mika did this, Nami's message kept going. "So listen to Shiki. I believe he can take care of you. And most importantly…"

"SHUT UP!" Mika shouted suddenly, enraged and upset all at once. In her outburst, she kicked the shell over to the wall. The broadside of the shell hit the wall and then fell straight onto the apex button and silence the shell.

"Ji-hahaha!" Shiki laughed out immediately. How he loved to see despair in others.

As for the two women in the room, both of them had been saddened by the message. They also sympathized with the little girl. Neither one would wish this situation on anyone, but to be given a message like that was awful. They both knew, however, that this was just the thing Shiki liked.

"Now do you see, Baby Doll," Shiki said calmly, standing back up. As he walked over to the girl, he kept one speaking. He said, "Your cherished one has abandoned you, all for the sake of hers and your crew's goals."

"That is the life of a pirate for ya though Doing what you want and tossing away silly connections like family or hometowns. To be free of the burdens of law, parenthood, and other such bothersome things. Like raising children even. The last lesson to learn from your parent, Baby Doll. Always be willing to sacrifice something for your own goals."

Now standing next to her, Shiki extended out his hand. While grinning, he told the girl enthusiastically, "I promise you, however, that as my crewmate, you won't be so easily abandoned. I foresee a great-"

"GO AWAY!" Mika roared in anguish, interrupting the man callously. Tears still flowing in heartbroken sorrow.

His grin turned into an angry scowl, Shiki did not like the attitude his new crewmate was giving him. Like any new and disobedient crew member, he would need to discipline them for such an unwarranted outburst. He thus raised his arm across his chest and backhanded the girl across her cheek.

Mika fell back the moment after being struck by Shiki. She landed on her butt with her arms stopping her from falling completely to her back. The pain began to fill her cheek which only added to her suffering. Of course, she began to cry harder and louder. None of this felt fair; if only she could go home.

Having witnessed this, both women gasped. Both thinking the same thought that this man was truly terrible.

Now angry, Shiki had just enough of the crying. "Look, Girly," he shouted loudly in displeasure. When the girl didn't stop, he began to shout even louder. "You're now a part of my crew, I won't tolerate you whining, crying, and bellyaching."

Still crying, Mika's volume lowered slightly. Had she been listening or simply tired, it was hard to say.

Shiki continued shouting regardless, "Now here this, in about an hour's time a huge ceremony will take place and my army will once again be formed. You will be there, dressed up nicely, and be there to witness how real pirates behave. If you think you can cry your way out it, I don't mind showing all my allies how I deal with insubordinate crewmates. You got that?!"

The young girl only responded back by crying louder again. Clearly, she was still not in a mood to listen.

Already done with this, Shiki turned and began to walk out. As he did, he gave a command out to the two women. "Make sure she's ready by then," he said strictly, referring to the hour time until the meeting.

"Yes, Lord Shiki," both women said quickly and fearfully.

With that, Shiki took his leave. Slamming the door right behind him. Though the little girl was still girl loudly, the women were relieved to have that man gone. After her moment Ever determinedly hurried over to the young girl. Once so, she knelt down and comforted the girl the best she could. Hugging her and letting her cry on her shoulder. Ever even stroked the girl's head, hoping it would help as well. The other simply stood by, feeling that the situation with the little girl was handled.

In time, Mika began to calm down. She soon stopped her screaming but her crying continued for much longer. Ever continued to comfort the girl for as long as she needed her. After a while, even Mika's crying ceased. The young woman kept hugging her though, still feeling that the girl was not yet ready. Then, after a minute, Ever felt the girl begin to move. She immediately gave the girl some space while also looking at her to check her other. The young girl still looked sad, even still sniffling, but she was at least calm. Her cheek still red from the attack.

Ever asked caringly, "Are you alright?"

Obviously, Mika shook her head. Silently answering "no".

Realizing the folly of her question, Ever mentally berated herself. She then instead apologized, "I'm so sorry about this. No one, especially a little girl, should have to deal with this."

Despite feeling awful, Mika greatly appreciated the comfort the woman gave her. She soon began to smile thanks to the woman. "Thank you," she spoke softly.

Smiling back, Ever replied back happily, "You're welcome."

"Wow, Ever," spoke the other female amazed. "You're good."

Ever giggled in response. "Well, I do have a little sister," she stated fondly.

Soon, the two women began to prepare to dress Mika up for the ceremony. The room had been given a seemingly endless line of little girl dresses as ordered by Shiki. Together, the two woman sorted through them for something they thought Mika would look cute in. Having fun despite being stuck in this horrible situation.

As for Mika, she allowed the two women to do so without making notice her distaste for dresses. She really wasn't in the mood for it. Even if she felt slightly better, it didn't change the fact that she had been abandoned to a big jerk. Worst, she didn't understand any of it. This was not like her parents, they'd never abandoned her. And yet, as she looked over back at the orange-spotted conch shell, there was the message that had told her otherwise. That awful, horrible, no-good to no end, Mika decided to stuff her hands in her pockets. She had it in her mind to pace about the room angrily as she contemplated all the means things she would say. Some even being the curse words she had heard from her uncles when they occasionally slipped up.

Then, as she stuck her hands into her pocket, she felt something in the left pocket. "Hmm?" She grabbed the object - feeling that it was a ring-shaped object - and pulled it out to see it more clearly. What she had found was a gold ringlet; but not just any ringlet, she recognized this one.

"Mama's…" Mika started to say but stopped herself. She quickly recalled clearly who's ringlet this really belonged to. "Auntie Nojiko's ring…"

In her memory, she recalled back to just a few hours ago. While her mother changed clothes, she had removed a few pieces of jewelry she was wearing. Being curious, Mika had wandered over to check them out. Of course, the ringlet stood out as the most interesting thing and she picked it up. She recalled seeing her mother where it on her arm and she attempted to imitate. Only, it wouldn't stay on like it did for her mother.

"Mama," Mika whined out needily.

Before undoing her bikini top, Nami turned to her daughter. "Yes, Sweetie?"she asked curiously.

"This thing won't fit on me," Mika stated grouchily.

Seeing what her daughter meant, Nami giggled lightly. "That's because it's too big for you," she stated before walking over. Gently, she slid the ringlet off Mika and slipped it on her own hand.

"See," Nami said as she showed her daughter. "If you wanna wear one of your aunt's ringlets, your hand needs to be bigger. That way it won't fall off."

Immediately, Mika's interest was piqued. "That's Auntie Nojiko's?" she asked surprised.

Nami nodded. "Yes," she said proudly. She then explained, "Your aunt gave me this before I left with your father, it's a symbol of our bond."

"Whoa…" Mika said amazed.

"Ya know, maybe one day, I should give you something like that, Mika. Something symbolizing our bond."

"Really!"

"Yeah!"

As the memory ended, Mika quickly felt something click. She looked at the ring again, double-checking it to be sure. After her check, there was no doubt in her mind that this had belonged to her mother. This, of course, raised the question of how it had gotten into her pocket in the first place. It was unlikely it slipped off which only meant it was purposely placed in her pocket. By her mother, the one who said she abandoned her.

Coming to this conclusion, Mika looked back at the conch shell again. She then walked over to it out of curiosity and picked up. Despite initially upsetting her, Mika had realized that she had not listened to the message to the end. Thus, bravely, she pressed on the apex of the shell again.

The message then began playing.

Namika… I'm sorry.

But you have to stay with Shiki for a while.

Your father and your uncles weren't prepared enough to defeat him. We'll end up losing everything if we defy him now.

He made a modest offer though...if I let you go with him, he would spare us.

Sometimes in life, you have to make some hard choices. Especially as an adult, and I've had to make so many…

I'm sorry you had to be one of them.

So listen to Shiki. I believe he can take care of you. And most importantly…

Then, Nami's voice went into a whisper."Wait for us," she told Mika determinedly. Then adding on even more so.

"We are coming."